I would like to think I lived a life of community service. I served in the US Air Force. I coached little league baseball for over 20 years, long after our children aged out of the program. I was a Girl Scout cookie Dad for our daughters when our twins were born 2 months early and had special needs and my wife had to tend to them and couldn’t do it – no one else was stepping forward and I thought it was important to show my daughters I would do anything for them. I was a High School band parent and served as president on the board. I served on the board of the Palm Beach – Martin County Easter Seals when our sons attended their early intervention program and served as president of the board. I was the Easter Seals volunteer of the year one year and I was honored – it was a lot of hard work with many qualified candidates. I served as Eucharistic Minister at our church. I volunteered to mentor new college students here in Tennessee. Now I try to provide activities for the community to do. At our Watts Bar Beer Works business in Spring City we host live music on weekends, food trucks, Team Trivia, music bingo, Family Feud, Crime Scene Academy, Spring City’s Got Talent, dart and pool tournaments and Craft Fairs. We have hosted several fund raisers for people in need. We are family friendly and try to come up with something for everyone. I also started a Farmers Market in Spring City with the help of Morgan Scott.
About Patrick Rothenburg
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been married to Kathy for 32 years and we have 5 adult children, 3 boys and 2 girls and several Grandchildren.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am a retired Crime Scene Investigator from a police department in South Florida and I also worked for 8 years as a Private Investigator licensed in 7 states. I am retired now (lol) and own Watts Bar Beer Works in Spring City and enjoy interacting with people.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Never give up, and give something back. Be a good neighbor and someone people would want in their community.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Exploring the world
Patrick Rothenburg & Our Community
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
BBs Cafe, Longhollow Grill, Uncle Gus’s
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
10 years, been visiting for over 20
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Randy Runyan – his common sense approach to things and the wisdom from life events over the years have made him one smart fella.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I always enjoy going to the Long Hollow Grill, they make me feel welcome. Woodens Apple Farm is a must during season!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Everyone knows everyone and the willingness of people to help each other – after all, we are The Volunteer State!
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Clint Eastwood (dating myself) always a big fan and I admired his body of work and his work ethic – but he always seemed to have fun doing it.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Favorite movie – Caddyshack, favorite TV show – Cheers. I have seen enough of the bad in our world in my line of work, I like to laugh and to make people laugh!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I saved my wife’s life with the Heimlich maneuver, I helped save another man at a beach, I was once a runway fashion model (reluctantly, true-lol), I bumped into Michael Jackson (literally)
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The food at Long Hollow Grill – Erica is a master!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife and kids. Throughout my life I have had my failures, but I always say I am a work in progress, I want to always be improving
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Peace of mind
